Teams in the Trofeo TIM play 45-minute matches with three points for a win or, if it’s decided on penalties, two for a victory and one for the losing side.

Marco Storari smothered a dangerous TayeTaiwo free kick, while Stephan El Shaarawy peeled away from Lucio at the back post for a volley across the face of goal.

At the other end, Vucinic set up Simone Padoin with an inspired pass, but the daisy-cutter flashed inches past the far stick.

The pitch at the Stadio San Nicola was not holding up at all well under the pressure of these mini-matches, making play somewhat tricky. Ziegler nodded a corner off target and Pepe went on a blazing solo run that Mario Yepes charged down in the box with an arm, but the shot was on to the arm as the Colombian was already on the ground.

Vucinic went into the box and was tripped by BakayeTraore for a penalty, although replays suggest contact was minimal. The Montenegrin striker also converted and celebrated by sucking his thumb, a reference to the fact his second child was born only two days ago.

Traore went close to making up for the error with a header just past the far post following a huge jump above KwadwoAsamoah.

Robinho was booked for dissent after a Milan attack was correctly halted for a push on Ziegler, followed by Pepe’s yellow card for a mistimed tackle on Taiwo. Pepe limped off moments later when he suddenly pulled up with a suspected thigh strain.